Parents Arrested for Murder – anewscafe.com

On January 7, 2024, Shasta County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 20000 block of Sunset Lane, Redding, for a welfare check on a two-year-old girl. Deputies were unable to contact anyone at the residence and eventually contacted the child’s parents by phone. The parents told deputies they weren’t home; however, they were both later found in a home trying to hide from law enforcement.

Deputies were unable to find the two-year-old child behind the residence. Deputies interviewed both parents, Riley Royal, 28, and Amanda Royal, 24, about the child’s whereabouts. Deputies learned that the child died three months ago and was illegally buried.

Major Crimes Unit detectives responded and began investigating. At the time of initial contact with Riley and Amanda, another child was located at the residence and placed in the custody of Shasta County Child Services.

Detectives also interviewed Riley and Amanda and learned that the child died in October 2023. Detectives learned the child had been physically abused and was buried west of Redding near the Whiskeytown Recreation Area.

Detectives and coroner’s deputies exhumed the body on January 8, 2024. An autopsy and other medical examinations were later conducted and the death was ultimately ruled a homicide.

Detectives filed charges with the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office and obtained arrest warrants for both parents. On October 29, 2024, both parents were arrested under 187(a) PC – Murder with special charges and 273ab(a) PC – Cruelty to a child resulting in death. Both Riley and Amanda were booked into the Shasta County Jail without bond. Both will appear in Shasta County Superior Court on Thursday, Oct. 31 at 1:30 p.m.

This is an ongoing investigation and anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Shasta County Major Crimes Unit at 530-245-6135 or email [email protected]